Welcome to the latest edition of Six Questions With..., a regular short and sharp interview with a live music figure. Email jhanley@nbmedia.com if you would like to take part or recommend someone for inclusion.
This week's Q&A is with Michael Julian of Electric Zoo Festival, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in New York Randall's Island Park last weekend. Acts included Marshmello, Martin Garrix and Porter Robinson’s new live project Virtual Self.
What was your first job in music/music related events?
In my late teens I started out as a sub-promoter running guest lists in all major New York night clubs.
How long have you been in your current role?
I’ve been leading all things in marketing at Electric Zoo since the very beginning, going back to 2009.
What is your favourite thing about working in the live music industry?
It may sound like a cliché answer, but I know that the memories our fans create at our shows are going to be everlasting, sometimes even life changing. This inspires me to always have a mindset that we need to push even harder and think even bigger. This drive is what I love about working in the industry.
What is the one thing you would like to change about the business?
Too many politics get in the way and ultimately affect the business for the wrong reasons. I wish everyone would remind themselves why we’re here in the first place and why we do what we do. Let’s focus our time on creating better events than on BS – this will make it all better for everyone.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I guess this is it! I’m humbled that we are celebrating our 10th birthday as New York’s electronic music festival. It wasn’t an easy road with lots of bumps and hurdles along the way, but we got here and I take a lot of pride in the hard work it took. It paid off, and I definitely consider this 10-year milestone of Electric Zoo the highlight of my career.
What's the best gig you’ve ever been to?
To make sure that I don’t get hate mail from all of my great industry friends who organise and produce incredible events around the world, which I have been privileged to attend, I will just say that the best gig I’ve ever been to was the first time I went to a club because that’s what got me to fall in love with dance music to begin with us and eventually lead to my career in this business.. Tunnel NYC, circa mid '90s.
